Area at a Glance. 3.0 Community Profile 3-1 H OUSTON-GALVESTON A REA C OUNCIL R EGIONAL H AZARD M ITIGATION P LAN 2011 U PDATE

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1 3.0 Community Profile Area at a Glance The Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) region consists of the 13-county region along the Gulf Coast of Texas. The region includes Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Walker, Waller and Wharton counties, and represents over onequarter of the state s population, covering nearly 12,300 square miles. A map of the H-GAC region is presented in Figure 3.1. Larger entities with substantial capacity to complete hazard mitigation plans have developed independent plans separate from the regional effort. Examples of these counties and large cities include Harris County and the City of Houston. In addition, three of our western most counties are included in the Lower Colorado River Authority plan (i.e., Colorado, Wharton and Matagorda). The H-GAC Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan covers Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Liberty, Montgomery, Walker, and Waller counties. The Houston Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area (CMSA) covers Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, and Waller counties. The region is anchored by the City of Houston, a hub of commerce, transportation, education, diversity, and culture. Houston is primarily located within Harris County, and is 168 miles from Austin, 197 miles from San Antonio, and 244 miles from Dallas. 3-1

2 Figure 3.1 H-GAC Region 3-2

3 Geography Land Area in Square Miles Table 3.1 Land Area of H-GAC Region County Land Area (Square Miles) County Land Area (Square Miles) Austin 653 Matagorda 1,114 Brazoria 1,386 Montgomery 1,044 Chambers 599 Walker 787 Colorado 963 Waller 514 Fort Bend 875 Wharton 1,090 Galveston 398 CMSA 7,705 Harris 1, County Region 12,312 Liberty 1,160 Source: U.S. Census The region s size contributes to its diverse geographic landscape, which includes prairie, grasslands, forests, and coastal wetlands. The largely forested northern and eastern areas contrast the southern and western grasslands and prairie, and the counties along the Gulf of Mexico are typical of grassland and sand-dominated topographies. The region is connected through a system of major waterways including the Brazos, Colorado, Trinity, and San Jacinto Rivers, as well as a group of river basins and watersheds. The region s reservoirs are presented in Table 3.2. The river basins are presented on Figure 3.2 and the watersheds are presented on Figure 3.3. Table 3.2 H-GAC Area Reservoirs Addicks Reservoir Barker Reservoir Duck Lake Galveston County Reservoir Lake Houston McCormack Reservoir Mustang Lake Sheldon Reservoir 3-3

4 Figure 3.2 H-GAC Region s River Basins 3-4

5 Figure 3.3 H-GAC Area Watersheds A corresponding table indicating the names of the region s watersheds is found in Table

6 Table 3-3: H-GAC Region s Watersheds ID Watershed 0 Pine Island Bayou 1 Little Pine Island Bayou-Pine Island Bayou 2 Caney Creek-Bedias Creek 3 South Bedias Creek-Bedias Creek 4 Wright Creek-Trinity River 5 White Rock Creek 6 Nelson Creek-Lake Livingston 7 Menard Creek-Trinity River 8 Whites Bayou-Turtle Bayou 9 Lower Neches Valley Authority Canal-Taylor Bayou 10 Spindletop Bayou 11 Beason Creek-Brazos River 12 New Year Creek-Brazos River 13 Mill Creek-Brazos River 14 Big Creek-Brazos River 15 Dry Bayou-Brazos River 16 Clear Creek-Cummins Creek 17 Buckners Creek-Colorado River 18 Skull Creek-Colorado River 19 Jones Creek-Colorado River 20 Linnville Bayou 21 Water Hole Creek-Caney Creek 22 Peyton Creek-Live Oak Bayou 23 East Matagorda Bay 24 Headwaters Navidad River 25 West Sandy Creek-Sandy Creek 26 West Mustang Creek 27 Mustang Creek-Navidad River 28 East Carancahua Creek 29 Tres Palacios River 30 East Branch Mad Island Slough-Matagorda Bay 31 Matagorda Bay 32 Jones Creek 33 Lower Oyster Creek 34 Lake Conroe 35 East Fork San Jacinto River 36 Lake Creek 37 Caney Creek 38 Peach Creek 39 West Fork San Jacinto River 40 San Bernard River Above Tidal 41 San Bernard River Tidal 42 Clear Creek-Brazos River 43 Spring Creek 44 Bessies Creek-Brazos River 45 Upper Oyster Creek 46 Cypress Creek 47 Buffalo Bayou Above Tidal 48 Buffalo Bayou Tidal 3-6

7 ID Watershed 49 Spindletop Ditch 50 White Oak Bayou Above Tidal 51 Greens Bayou 52 Little White Oak Bayou 53 Oyster Creek Tidal 54 Chocolate Bay 55 Chocolate Bayou Above Tidal 56 Bastrop Bayou Tidal 57 Chocolate Bayou Tidal 58 Oyster Creek Above Tidal 59 Dickinson Bayou Above Tidal 60 HSC \ Buffalo Bayou 61 Clear Creek Tidal 62 Clear Creek Above Tidal 63 Moses Lake 64 Old River-Trinity River 65 Lake Houston 66 Davis Bayou-Trinity River 67 Cedar Bayou Tidal 68 Cedar Bayou Above Tidal 69 HSC \ San Jacinto River 70 San Jacinto River Tidal 71 Black Duck Bay 72 Scott Bay 73 Burnett Bay 74 Upper Galveston Bay 75 Cedar Bayou-Frontal Galveston Bay 76 Trinity Bay 77 Dickinson Bayou Tidal 78 Armand Bayou 79 Clear Lake 80 HSC/San Jacinto River Tidal 81 East Fork Double Bayou 82 Barbours Cut 83 San Jacinto Bay 84 Bayport Channel 85 Tabbs Bay 86 East Bay 87 Texas City Ship Channel 88 Drum Bay 89 Christmas Bay 90 Bastrop Bay/Oyster Lake 91 Lower Galveston Bay 92 West Bay 93 Old Brazos River Channel 3-7

8 Environment Air Quality Air pollution and smog continue to plague the City of Houston s air quality, but the region is continuing its effort to increase air quality in a number of areas. Programs are currently in place to reduce emissions from polluting vehicles, introduce clean burning fuels into government and transportation use, and improve regulation of industrial polluters. Clear Air Action, Clean Cities/Clean Vehicles, and Commute Solutions are a few of the organizations developing these clean air initiatives. Water Quality The major sources of freshwater drinking supply come from Lake Conroe in Montgomery County and Lake Houston in Harris County. Monitoring the quality of these and other water supplies has been important to the growth of the Houston-Galveston area, and has actively been modeled since Throughout this time, continued evaluation of the availability of the water supply to meet population growth and development has been done, along with the assessment of wastewater treatment, water quality protection, and identifying point and non-point water pollution. Habitat Falling within the Pineywoods, Prairies and Lakes, and Texas Gulf Coast regions, the natural habitat of the Houston-Galveston area varies. The Pineywoods region (Walker, Montgomery, and Liberty counties) is covered with pines and oaks, which build the heavily wooded area. The temperature and humidity are high and annual rainfall around 36 to 50 inches is normal. The Prairies and Lakes region (Austin and Colorado counties) includes the northwestern counties of the Houston-Galveston area and contains prairie grasslands, oak forests, and bottomland soil made up of clay. The average rainfall is about 28 to 40 inches per year. The Gulf Coast Region (Harris, Fort Bend, Galveston, Waller, Chambers, Brazoria, Matagorda and Wharton counties) primarily consists of counties bordering the Gulf of Mexico (excluding Waller and Fort Bend), and is made up of grasslands, sand, and the waterways that spill into the Gulf of Mexico. Galveston Bay is one of the nation s most productive estuaries and provides critical habitat for fisheries, migratory bird populations and coastal wetland plants. Energy Energy efficiency programs are available through a wide variety of agencies and programs through the region. Among those participating are programs for reducing electricity use in homes, increasing carpooling, increasing use of renewable energy, and increasing utility company competition. Services The infrastructure of the region is a highly developed network of civil service, healthcare, utility, education, and transportation facilities. Police H-GAC maintains a database that lists all police departments and constables offices in the region. The information for regional police stations was obtained from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCLE) and the Houston Police Department. The data collected from the TCLE has not been altered in any way. A table was created from the information gathered from the Houston Police Department and added to the TCLE data. H-GAC, Houston Police Department, and the TCLE provide this data with no warranty and assume no liability for its use other than to support descriptive planning studies. To obtain a copy of this information, contact H-GAC. 3-8

9 Fire Departments H-GAC maintains a database of all fire departments, firehouses, and fire stations in the region. The information for the regional fire departments was obtained from the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) and the Houston Fire Department. According to the TCFP Web site they have to keep up-to-date addresses for all paid fire departments and other entities that fall under mandatory commission regulations. Non-regulated entities, such as most volunteer fire departments, are not required by law to partake in any TCFP programs and therefore they do not need to keep their address information current with the TCFP. The TCFP maintains the addresses of the entities they regulate current to the best of their ability. H-GAC has added the Houston Fire Departments list of firehouses and ABI data for known fire stations around the CMSA to the list received from the TCFP. H-GAC and the TCFP provide this data with no warranty and assume no liability for its use other than to support descriptive planning studies. To obtain a copy of this information, contact H-GAC. Prisons H-GAC maintains a list of all prisons located in the region. The information for regional prisons was obtained from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDJC). A table was created from the data gathered from the TDJC and some of the addresses were updated by telephone contact with the prison. H-GAC and TDJC provide this data with no warranty and assume no liability for its use other than to support descriptive planning studies. To obtain a copy of this information, contact H-GAC. Utilities The region is supplied by electricity from a suite of generating facilities that range from nuclear (South Texas Project in Matagorda County), to coal (Fort Bend County) and natural gas (the majority of plants within the region). Electricity providers operate in a deregulated market in Texas and numerous electrical providers provide extensive consumer choice. Two main companies service the electrical transmission grid within the H-GAC region CenterPoint Energy and Entergy. Massive damage following Hurricane Rita in 2005 and Hurricane Ike in 2008 resulted in toppled power lines and large segments of the population without power for their homes and businesses. H-GAC maintains a list of regional electricity providers according to the Texas General Land Office (TGLO). This information can be obtained by contacting H-GAC. Table 3.4 lists electric providers for the area. H-GAC and the TGLO provide this data with no warranty and assume no liability for its use other than to support descriptive planning studies. Table 3.4 Regional Electricity Providers Blue Bonnet Electric Center Point Energy Central Power & Light City of Bellville City of Hempstead City of Liberty Fayette Electric Gulf States Utilities Jackson Electric Mid South Electric Sam Houston Electric San Bernard Electric Texas-New Mexico Power Wharton County Electric Hospitals H-GAC maintains a hospitals table that includes acute care and psychiatric hospitals according to the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS). Figure 3.4 depicts acute care and psychiatric hospitals reported by TDSHS and Houston area specialty hospitals reported by the Houston Business Journal. The total number of facilities depicted on the map is

10 The TDH believes this information to be accurate and complete on all licensed hospitals in Texas. The TDH assumes no responsibility for any errors in the information. This information has not been altered since receiving it from TDSHS. H-GAC, TDSHS and the Houston Business Journal provide this data with no warranty and assume no liability for its use other than to support descriptive planning studies. An ArcGIS shapefile is available for this data set. Figure 3.4 Regional Hospitals 3-10

11 Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Response Teams There are seven Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) response teams located within the 13-county region. Team members are solely from paid career fire department personnel with the exception of volunteer team members from one volunteer fire department in Fort Bend County. The paid career fire departments are located in the following four counties: Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris and Montgomery. There are no fully paid career fire departments in the following nine counties: Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Liberty, Matagorda, Walker, Waller and Wharton counties. Technician-level HAZMAT response teams are on duty to respond to HAZMAT incidents in the four counties containing paid career fire departments. In all other counties, HAZMAT incident responses are coordinated through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Counties containing only volunteer fire departments cannot feasibly create certified HAZMAT response teams. This is based on criteria relating to the number of training hours required throughout the course of each year to maintain technician level certifications for all team members. The City of Baytown in east Harris County has a paid career fire department with 86 paid positions of which more than 20 have technician level certification. The primary obstacle preventing establishment of a distinct HAZMAT team in Baytown for incidents at all levels is the lack of equipment. Grant funding for this department would ensure creation of a major HAZMAT team capable of responding to incidents in adjacent cities and counties. Figure 3.5 shows the geographic distribution of industrial facilities throughout the region that may factor into potential hazardous materials releases. The map includes industrial businesses that fall under the Environmental Protection Agency s Toxic Release Inventory Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Information system with 100+ employees and that are located on industrial and/or warehouse land use types. Table 3.5 provides a listing of regional HAZMAT response teams in the H-GAC area. 3-11

12 Figure 3.5 Regional Industrial Facilities 3-12

13 County Table 3.5 H-GAC Regional HAZMAT Response Teams Disaster District Team Location Career-Paid Team Volunteer Team Austin 2c Sub Brazoria 2a Chambers 2b Colorado 2c Sub Fort Bend 2c Sub East: Missouri City FD, 2 Teams Pecan Grove First Stafford FD, Sugar Land FD West: Richmond FD, Responders Are Volunteers Rosenberg FD, Pecan Grove VFD Galveston 2a Texas City FD 1 Team Harris 2a Houston FD 2 Teams Liberty 2b Matagorda 2c Montgomery 2c Conroe FD Team 2 Teams The Woodlands FD Team Walker 2c Waller 2c Wharton 2c Total: 13 7 Teams Schools Regional Colleges and Universities H-GAC maintains a list of community colleges and universities in the region. This information was acquired from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) and individual college websites. The table has information on the college or university address and telephone number for each campus. The data gathered from the THECB has been updated to include additional community college campuses. The data for the update was supplied by each college s website and telephone contact. H-GAC and the THECB provide this data with no warranty and assume no liability for its use other than to support descriptive planning studies. An ArcGIS shapefile is available for this data set. Contact H-GAC to obtain this list. Table 3.6 briefly lists the major institutions of higher education within the H-GAC area. Figure 3.6 shows the geographic distribution of colleges and universities within the region. 3-13

14 Table 3.6 Major Institutions of Higher Education Name of Institution Alvin Community College Baylor College of Medicine Brazosport College College of Biblical Studies College of the Mainland Galveston College Houston Baptist University Houston Community College Lee College Lone Star College System Prairie View A&M University Rice University Sam Houston State University San Jacinto College South Texas College of Law Texas A&M at Galveston Texas Southern University Texas Women s University The Art Institute of Houston Tomball College University of Houston University of St Thomas University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston UT School of Health Science Center Wharton Junior College 3-14

15 Figure 3.6 Regional Colleges and Universities 3-15

16 Regional Grade Schools H-GAC maintains a list of grade schools in the region according to the Texas Education Agency (TEA). This table has information on each grade school s address, grade levels and school district. The data reflects the information available directly from the TEA website. The information collected from the TEA website has not been altered in any way. H-GAC and TEA provide this data with no warranty and assume no liability for its use other than to support descriptive planning studies. An ArcGIS shapefile is available for this data set. Contact H-GAC to obtain this information. Transportation The Houston-Galveston transportation system is a network of roadways, highways, airports and waterways that provides for the movement of goods and people on an enormous scale. The area maintains three commercial airports: Hobby, Ellington Field and Bush-Intercontinental, which is the ninth largest airport in the United States by passenger volume. The Port of Houston is equally important to the transfer of goods, shipping and receiving over 185 million tons of cargo each year, making it the second largest port in the United States. Trucking and rail are also major components for the shipment of goods and materials in the region. The region s highway and roadway network handles millions of trips each year, and with a passenger volume this immense, it takes multiple organizations to handle the network. The Metropolitan Transit Authority handles mass transit in the Harris County area, while the Brazos Transit System deals with Montgomery, Liberty and Chambers counties. The Gulf Coast Center (GCC) directs travel in between Galveston and Brazoria, along with Island Transit. The preeminent group is the Houston TransStar Traffic Management Center, which is the home base for transportation disaster management for the greater Houston region. Figure 3.7 Regional Transportation Network (Airports and Roadways) Regional Transportation Network p Regional Transportation Network Walker p p p p p p p p p p p pp p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p Miles p Legend p Airport Railroad Road Water Colorado Austin!"#$ 10 Wharton Waller Matagorda Harris Fort Bend!"#$ 45 Montgomery!"#$ 610 Brazoria!"#$ 45 Galveston Liberty!"#$ 10 Chambers Miles 3-16

17 Demographics This section presents the 2000 demographics that were included in the 2006 Hazard Mitigation Plan and updated 2010 Census demographics. At the time of analysis, only 2000 Census demographics were available. For this reason, the 2000 demographics were included in the Plan Update for Section 4.3. The available 2010 demographics are also presented in this section. According to the 2010 Census, the Houston-Galveston area consists of 6 million people and represents a diverse ethnic and socioeconomic mix. Hispanics account for nearly one-third of the population in the 13- county region, a rate that is significantly larger than the national average (13 percent). Similarly, the CMSA contains more Asian and African-Americans than national averages (2000 Census). Population Table 3.7 Total Population by Race (2000) Total Population Hispanic White African- American/ Black Asian Other U.S. 281,421,906 35,305, ,552,774 33,947,837 10,123,169 7,492,308 Texas 20,851,820 6,669,666 10,933,313 2,364, , , County Region 4,854,454 1,389,915 2,348, , ,755 78,309 CMSA 4,669,571 1,348,588 2,239, , ,177 76,229 Austin 23,590 3,805 16,964 2, Brazoria 241,767 55, ,052 20,183 4,776 3,693 Chambers 26,031 2,810 20,210 2, Colorado 20,390 4,024 13,165 2, Fort Bend 354,452 74, ,788 69,579 39,545 6,669 Galveston 250,158 44, ,851 38,179 5,152 4,037 Harris 3,400,578 1,119,751 1,432, , ,026 55,843 Liberty 70,154 7,660 52,289 8, ,035 Matagorda 37,957 11,898 19,900 4, Montgomery 293,768 37, ,150 10,076 3,167 4,225 Walker 61,758 8,712 37,090 14, Waller 32,663 6,344 16,289 9, Wharton 41,188 12,888 21,832 6, U.S. Census Bureau: 2000 Census SF1 P1, P4: Total Population, Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race 3-17

18 Table 3.8 Total Population by Race (2010) Total Population Hispanic White African- American/ Black Asian Other U.S. 308,745,538 Unavailable Unavailable Unavailable Unavailable Unavailable Texas 25,145,561 9,460,921 11,397,345 2,886, , , County Region 6,087,133 2,062,892 2,429,516 1,023, , ,027 CMSA 5,891,999 2,009,891 2,321, , , ,532 Austin 28,417 6,641 18,657 2, Brazoria 313,166 6, ,674 36,880 17,013 5,956 Chambers 35,096 6,635 24,767 2, Colorado 20,874 5,452 12,496 2, Fort Bend 585, , , ,267 98,762 12,699 Galveston 291,309 65, ,652 39,229 8,515 5,643 Harris 4,092,459 1,671,540 1,349, , ,853 67,162 Liberty 75,643 13,602 52,321 8, ,309 Matagorda 36,702 14,074 17,400 4, Montgomery 455,746 94, ,611 18,537 9,347 8,553 Walker 67,861 11,389 39,671 15, ,086 Waller 43,205 12,536 19,260 10, Wharton 41,280 15,445 19,681 5, Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census 3-18

19 Table 3.9 Percent Population by Race (2000) Hispanic White African- American/ Black Asian Other U.S. 13% 96% 12% 4% 3% Texas 32% 52% 11% 3% 2% Austin 16% 72% 10% 0% 1% Brazoria 23% 65% 8% 2% 2% Chambers 11% 78% 10% 1% 1% Colorado 20% 64% 15% 0% 1% Fort Bend 21% 46% 20% 11% 2% Galveston 18% 63% 15% 2% 2% Harris 33% 42% 18% 5% 2% Liberty 11% 75% 13% 0% 2% Matagorda 31% 52% 13% 2% 1% Montgomery 13% 81% 3% 1% 1% Walker 14% 60% 24% 1% 1% Waller 19% 50% 29% 0% 1% Wharton 31% 53% 15% 0% 1% U.S. Census Bureau: 2000 Census SF1 P1, P4: Total Population, Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race Table 3.10 Percent Population by Race (2010) Hispanic White African- American/ Black Asian Other Texas 38% 45% 11% 4% 2% Austin 23% 66% 9% 0% 1% Brazoria 28% 53% 12% 5% 2% Chambers 19% 71% 8% 1% 2% Colorado 26% 60% 13% 0% 1% Fort Bend 24% 36% 21% 17% 2% Galveston 22% 59% 13% 3% 2% Harris 41% 33% 18% 6% 2% Liberty 18% 69% 11% 0% 2% Matagorda 38% 47% 11% 2% 1% Montgomery 21% 71% 4% 2% 2% Walker 17% 58% 22% 1% 2% Waller 29% 45% 24% 0% 2% Wharton 37% 48% 14% 0% 1% 3-19

20 Between 2000 and 2010 there was little change in the age breakdown of the total population. Walker County maintains a comparatively large Age population. There is a higher proportion of seniors in Austin, Colorado and Matagorda counties. The area s age/population distribution is likely to change, leading to a higher Under 18 and Age population due to increased future immigration. Table 3.11 Age Breakdown of Total Population County Under Under Austin 27% 58% 15% 25% 59% 16% Brazoria 29% 63% 9% 28% 63% 10% Chambers 29% 62% 9% 29% 62% 9% Colorado 26% 56% 19% 24% 57% 19% Fort Bend 32% 62% 6% 30% 63% 7% Galveston 27% 62% 11% 25% 63% 11% Harris 29% 64% 7% 28% 64% 8% Liberty 28% 62% 10% 26% 63% 11% Matagorda 30% 58% 12% 26% 59% 14% Montgomery 30% 62% 9% 28% 62% 10% Walker 18% 73% 9% 17% 73% 10% Waller 26% 65% 9% 25% 65% 10% Wharton 29% 57% 14% 27% 59% 15% Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 and 2010 Census The area s population is expected to reach more than 7.5 million in 2025 and over 8.8 million in As noted previously, the Houston-Galveston area is one of the most diverse communities in the United States and the current ethnic population balance is expected to change drastically with the influx of Hispanic immigrants. Table 3.12 presents the population forecasts for the CMSA. H-GAC conducts its Regional Growth Forecast for the Houston CMSA 8-county region which includes Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, and Waller counties. From 2010 to 2035, Montgomery and Waller counties populations will nearly double, and Brazoria, Fort Bend, and Liberty counties show significant growth. 3-20

21 Table 3.12 Population Forecasts (Thousands) Population Forecasts Year Growth Rate Brazoria 313, , , , , ,000 21% 18% Chambers 35,096 38,000 42,000 46,000 50,000 53,000 21% 15% Fort Bend 585, , , , , ,000 30% 24% Galveston 291, , , , , ,000 16% 10% Harris 4,092,459 4,394,000 4,728,000 5,075,000 5,448,000 5,840,000 15% 15% Liberty 75,643 96, , , , ,000 18% 16% Montgomery 455, , , , , ,000 32% 27% Waller 43,205 51,000 57,000 64,000 72,000 80,000 25% 25% Source: H-GAC 2035 Regional Growth Forecast, August 2006 Housing Housing data for the H-GAC region is presented in Tables 3.13 through Note that Household Population excludes the special populations of inmates and residents of halfway houses and group homes. Table 3.13 Households County Austin County 8,747 10,837 Brazoria County 81, ,589 Chambers County 9,139 11,952 Colorado County 7,641 8,182 Fort Bend County 110, ,384 Galveston County 94, ,969 Harris County 1,205,516 1,435,155 Liberty County 23,242 25,073 Matagorda County 13,901 13,894 Montgomery County 103, ,530 Walker County 18,303 20,969 Waller County 10,557 14,040 Wharton County 14,799 15,132 Source: U.S. Census 2000,

22 Table 3.14 Household Population County Austin County 23,314 28,205 Brazoria County 230, ,607 Chambers County 25,797 34,867 Colorado County 19,541 20,546 Fort Bend County 348, ,439 Galveston County 246, ,012 Harris County 3,358,444 4,047,935 Liberty County 65,113 70,499 Matagorda County 37,482 36,302 Montgomery County 292, ,522 Walker County 44,667 51,153 Waller County 29,454 39,502 Wharton County 40,441 40,831 Source: U.S. Census 2000, 2010 Total Housing Units Table 3.15 Housing Units, 2000 Occupied Housing Units Vacant Housing Units Occupancy Rate Texas 8,157,575 7,393, ,221 91% Austin 10,205 8,747 1,458 86% Brazoria 90,628 81,954 8,674 90% Chambers 10,336 9,139 1,197 88% Colorado 9,431 7,641 1,790 81% Fort Bend 115, ,915 5,076 96% Galveston 111,733 94,782 16,951 85% Harris 1,298,130 1,205,516 92,614 93% Liberty 26,359 23,242 3,117 88% Matagorda 18,611 13,901 4,710 75% Montgomery 112, ,296 9,474 92% Walker 21,099 18,303 2,796 87% Waller 11,955 10,557 1,398 88% Wharton 16,606 14,799 1,807 89% Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Census 3-22

23 Jurisdiction Total Housing Units Table 3.16 Housing Units, 2010 Occupied Housing Units Vacant Housing Units Occupancy Rate Texas 9,977,436 8,922,933 1,054,503 89% Austin 2,926 10,837 2,089 84% Brazoria 118, ,589 11,747 90% Chambers 13,291 11,952 1,339 90% Colorado 10,527 8,182 2,345 78% Fort Bend 197, ,384 9,646 95% Galveston 132, ,969 23,523 82% Harris 1,598,698 1,435, ,543 90% Liberty 28,759 25,073 3,686 87% Matagorda 18,801 13,894 4,907 74% Montgomery 177, ,530 15,117 91% Walker 24,058 20,969 3,089 87% Waller 15,839 14,040 1,799 89% Wharton 17,127 15,132 1,995 88% Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census Jurisdiction Owner-Occupied Housing Units Table 3.17 Housing Units and Tenure (2000) Renter-Occupied Housing Units Owner-Occupied Unit Occupancy Rate Austin County 6,754 1,993 77% Brazoria County 60,674 21,280 74% Chambers County 7,641 1,498 84% Colorado County 5,857 1,784 77% Fort Bend County 89,656 21,259 81% Galveston County 62,742 32,040 66% Harris County 666, ,576 55% Liberty County 18,356 4,886 79% Matagorda County 9,282 4,619 67% Montgomery County 80,688 22,608 78% Walker County 10,952 7,351 60% Waller County 1,650 2,907 72% Wharton County 10,179 4,620 69% Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Census 3-23

24 Jurisdiction Owner-Occupied Housing Units Table 3.18 Housing Units and Tenure (2010) Renter-Occupied Housing Units Owner-Occupied Unit Occupancy Rate Austin County 8,192 2,645 76% Brazoria County 79,477 27,112 75% Chambers County 10,190 1,762 85% Colorado County 6,227 1,955 76% Fort Bend County 149,749 37,635 80% Galveston County 74,944 34,025 69% Harris County 814, ,345 57% Liberty County 19,341 5,732 77% Matagorda County 9,248 4,646 67% Montgomery County 120,007 42,523 74% Walker County 11,720 9,249 56% Waller County 9,713 4,327 69% Wharton County 10,303 4,829 68% Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census Table Median Housing Unit Value Jurisdiction U.S. $111,800 $185,400 Texas $77,800 $118,900 Austin County $84,400 $130,300 Brazoria County $81,000 $135,200 Chambers County $71,100 $123,200 Colorado County $60,200 $87,400 Fort Bend County $110,800 $168,600 Galveston County $81,900 $132,500 Harris County $84,200 $130,100 Liberty County $55,100 $77,900 Matagorda County $56,700 $74,200 Montgomery County $95,600 $152,200 Walker County $67,700 $97,500 Waller County $77,500 $109,300 Wharton County $56,700 $81,900 Source: 2000 U.S. Census, ACS 5-year estimate ( ) 3-24

25 Table 3.20 Housing Tenure by Units in Structure, 2000 Jurisdiction Single-Family Duplex, Tri, Fourplex Multi-Family Mobile and Other Total US 70,695,314 9,371,883 17,918,189 7,494, ,480,101 Texas 5,025, ,675 1,348, ,152 7,393,354 Austin 6, ,659 8,747 Brazoria 58,181 2,237 9,165 12,371 81,954 Chambers 6, ,319 9,139 Colorado 5, ,324 7,641 Fort Bend 95,646 1,423 8,182 5, ,915 Galveston 68,537 4,813 15,332 6,100 94,782 Harris 743,620 58, ,193 36,161 1,205,516 Liberty 13, ,707 23,242 Matagorda 9, ,272 2,155 13,901 Montgomery 71,362 2,131 9,052 20, ,296 Walker 9, ,435 4,467 18,303 Waller 6, ,972 10,557 Wharton 11, ,087 1,777 14,799 Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Census Table 3.21 Housing Tenure by Units in Structure, 2009 Jurisdiction Single-Family Duplex, Tri, Fourplex Multi-Family Mobile and Other Total U.S. 85,899,738 10,785,635 22,272,065 8,742, ,699,712 Texas 6,384, ,197 1,781, ,750 9,407,692 Austin 8, ,730 10,866 Brazoria 81,851 2,452 13,664 14, ,518 Chambers 9, ,815 13,373 Colorado 7, ,560 9,743 Fort Bend 128,694 3,263 12,967 6, ,230 Galveston 94,770 5,732 21,624 7, ,739 Harris 932,015 78, ,800 42,797 1,534,652 Liberty 17, ,830 28,527 Matagorda 13, ,966 2,796 19,465 Montgomery 109,743 5,628 17,622 24, ,158 Walker 11,855 1,175 4,887 4,945 23,094 Waller 8, ,152 3,109 14,034 Wharton 13, ,505 1,973 17,398 Source: ACS 5-Year Estimates

26 Social Characteristics For the 13-county area, all counties except Austin, Colorado and Wharton counties experienced increases between 2000 and 2009 in the percentage of people who speak a language other than English at home. Table 3.22 shows the percentage of people over the age of five whose language spoken at home is not English. The region s diverse ethnic population and high immigration rates contributes greatly to this measure. Table 3.22 Percentage of Population Over 5 Whose Language Spoken at Home is not English Jurisdiction Percent, 2000 Percent, 2009 US 18% 20% Texas 31% 34% CMSA 32% 36% Austin 17% 17% Brazoria 21% 24% Chambers 12% 13% Colorado 20% 18% Fort Bend 31% 36% Galveston 17% 19% Harris 36% 41% Liberty 12% 13% Matagorda 27% 28% Montgomery 14% 17% Walker 14% 19% Waller 18% 21% Wharton 27% 26% Source: US Census Bureau, 2000; ACS 5-year estimate ( ) 3-26

27 As Table 3.23 indicates the CMSA in 2000 and 2009 lags behind the national average regarding the proportion of adults who have a high school diploma. In 2000, Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston and Montgomery counties equal, or surpass, the nationwide average. In 2009, the region s counties that equaled or surpassed the nationwide average was reduced to Fort Bend, Galveston and Montgomery counties. Table 3.23 Percentage of Population Over 25 With a High School Diploma Jurisdiction Percent, 2000 Percent, 2009 US 80% 85% Texas 76% 79% CMSA 76% 80% Austin 75% 81% Brazoria 80% 84% Chambers 77% 83% Colorado 69% 76% Fort Bend 84% 88% Galveston 81% 85% Harris 75% 77% Liberty 70% 72% Matagorda 70% 75% Montgomery 82% 85% Walker 73% 79% Waller 74% 79% Wharton 70% 75% Source: US Census Bureau, 2000; ACS 5-year estimate ( ) 3-27

28 The CMSA carries a poverty rate consistent with national averages. Fort Bend and Chambers counties account for the least poverty-stricken areas. Matagorda and Walker counties account for the highest percentages above the national averages for Table 3.24 Poverty Rate Among All Ages Jurisdiction Percent, 2000 Percent, 2009 U.S. 17% 14% Texas 21% 17% CMSA 18% 15% Austin 14% 11% Brazoria 13% 10% Chambers 14% 9% Colorado 21% 16% Fort Bend 9% 8% Galveston 18% 15% Harris 20% 17% Liberty 19% 18% Matagorda 24% 21% Montgomery 11% 11% Walker 20% 23% Waller 20% 19% Wharton 19% 19% Source: U.S. Census, 2000; SAIPE US Census,

29 Economy The Houston-Galveston area characterizes a diverse and leading economic environment representing a variety of industrial sectors. These sectors are highlighted by Houston s dominant oil and gas exploration, petroleum refining, and petrochemical production facilities that represent nearly one-half of the area s economy. The recent growth of the medical, technical, financial, and service-oriented industries, Houston has diversified its economic base and prospered, despite a contraction in the economy. Table 3.25 presents the Houston area s largest employers based on 2010 employee data. Table 3.25: Percent Employment by Industry Type Region Ag, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting Mining Utilities Construction Manufacturing Wholesale Trade Retail Trade Transportation & Warehousing Information Finance & Insurance Real Estate & Rental & Leasing Professional Scientific, & Tech Svc Management of Companies & Enterprises Admin & Support & Waste Mgmt & Remediation Services Education Health Care Arts, Entertainment, & Recreation Accommodations & Food Svc Other Svc Public Admin US 0.9% 0.5% 0.6% 4.8% 9.2% 4.3% 11.4% 3.9% 2.3% 4.4% 1.6% 5.9% 1.4% 5.6% 9.5% 13.8% 1.8% 8.7% 3.4% 5.8% Texas 0.6% 2.0% 0.8% 6.2% 8.3% 4.9% 11.3% 4.2% 2.1% 4.4% 1.8% 5.6% 0.8% 6.1% 10.8% 12.8% 1.3% 8.8% 2.9% 4.4% 13-County Region 0.2% 3.7% 0.9% 7.5% 9.1% 5.7% 10.7% 4.3% 1.6% 3.6% 2.0% 7.3% 0.8% 6.7% 10.1% 11.0% 1.2% 7.7% 2.8% 2.9% CMSA 0.1% 3.8% 0.9% 7.5% 9.1% 5.7% 10.7% 4.4% 1.6% 3.6% 2.1% 7.4% 0.8% 6.9% 10.0% 11.0% 1.2% 7.8% 2.8% 2.6% Austin 0.6% 0.5% 0.8% 8.3% 31.9% 5.6% 11.8% 2.5% 0.7% 2.3% 0.6% 4.2% 0.3% 2.4% 9.3% 8.7% 0.9% 3.9% 1.8% 3.1% Brazoria 0.5% 0.9% 0.3% 14.7% 15.2% 2.4% 12.8% 2.6% 0.8% 2.3% 1.4% 3.8% 0.1% 2.9% 13.2% 8.7% 1.5% 7.9% 2.7% 5.2% Chambers 0.7% 3.4% 0.9% 5.7% 22.8% 3.2% 6.9% 3.6% 0.3% 1.6% 5.5% 2.8% 0.0% 4.4% 13.9% 5.8% 2.5% 6.3% 3.5% 4.9% Colorado 3.1% 2.7% 0.8% 7.4% 17.0% 4.8% 12.5% 4.0% 0.5% 2.8% 0.8% 2.0% 0.0% 1.4% 9.7% 13.6% 2.0% 7.9% 3.4% 3.4% Fort Bend 0.4% 1.7% 1.6% 8.4% 11.8% 4.4% 12.9% 1.7% 1.3% 3.1% 1.2% 5.4% 0.3% 5.1% 11.4% 12.4% 1.8% 8.4% 3.0% 3.6% Galveston 0.0% 0.5% 0.7% 5.7% 7.4% 2.3% 10.5% 3.4% 0.9% 4.7% 2.1% 3.6% 0.2% 3.1% 25.1% 9.3% 2.5% 11.7% 2.6% 3.7% Harris 0.1% 4.3% 0.8% 7.3% 8.7% 6.2% 10.2% 4.9% 1.8% 3.7% 2.2% 8.1% 1.0% 7.4% 8.8% 11.1% 1.1% 7.4% 2.8% 2.3% Liberty 1.1% 3.4% 0.5% 6.5% 10.1% 2.6% 17.5% 2.5% 0.7% 2.1% 1.6% 1.8% 0.0% 1.9% 16.6% 13.1% 0.2% 7.2% 2.0% 8.6% Matagorda 4.5% 2.4% 12.2% 8.2% 2.2% 1.8% 11.4% 1.9% 0.7% 1.9% 1.6% 3.9% 0.0% 5.0% 14.4% 11.3% 0.8% 8.6% 4.0% 3.3% Montgomery 0.2% 2.3% 0.7% 7.1% 7.2% 4.6% 14.3% 1.5% 1.1% 4.2% 1.4% 5.2% 0.1% 6.5% 13.4% 11.1% 2.1% 10.6% 4.0% 2.4% Walker 1.2% 0.2% 0.6% 2.8% 3.8% 1.2% 9.5% 0.8% 0.7% 1.5% 0.9% 2.7% 0.0% 1.1% 15.1% 9.0% 0.6% 7.4% 1.9% 39.2% Waller 1.0% 0.7% 0.2% 6.6% 13.8% 6.7% 9.5% 11.4% 0.3% 0.7% 0.9% 2.9% 0.0% 1.3% 27.8% 7.6% 1.1% 4.0% 1.1% 2.4% Wharton 10.8% 4.5% 0.7% 6.2% 10.6% 4.2% 11.9% 2.1% 0.9% 4.4% 1.1% 1.8% 0.0% 2.9% 14.9% 10.8% 0.5% 6.3% 2.4% 2.3% Source: U.S. Census LEHD and BLS QCEW

30 Rank Table 3.26 Houston Area s Largest Employers 2010 Company Employees 1 Wal-Mart Stores 30,535 2 Memorial Hermann Healthcare System 20,990 3 Administaff 17,511 4 The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center 17,295 5 Continental Airlines 16,643 6 Kroger Co. 15,117 7 Exxon Mobil Corp. 14,356 8 H-E-B Grocery Co. 13,575 9 The Methodist Hospital System 12, Shell Oil Co. 11, Baylor College of Medicine 9, CVS Caremark 8, HCA 8, University of Texas Medical Branch 8, The Dow Chemical Co. 7,935 Source: Houston Chronicle (accessed March 17, 2011) Greater Houston's Top 100 Employers Table 3.27 Median Household Income in Dollars, 2009 Region Value U.S. $50,221 Texas $48, County Region $55,181 CMSA $55,683 Austin $50,558 Brazoria $66,516 Chambers $68,478 Colorado $41,073 Fort Bend $80,548 Galveston $55,883 Harris $50,577 Liberty $45,308 Matagorda $38,938 Montgomery $65,130 Walker $37,203 Waller $47,110 Wharton $36,980 Source: Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates, U.S. Census 2009 Table 3.28 Unemployment Rate, May 2011 Region Rate U.S. 8.7% Texas 7.9% 13-County Region 8.2% CMSA 8.2% Austin 7.6% Brazoria 8.8% Chambers 9.6% Colorado 7.3% Fort Bend 7.6% Galveston 9.2% Harris 8.2% Liberty 10.6% Matagorda 11.5% Montgomery 7.4% Walker 7.7% Waller 8.1% Wharton 8.4% Source: Texas Workforce Commission

31 Economic Growth The Houston-Galveston area economy is expected to continue to expand throughout the next 20 years with the continued expansion of energy-related businesses and their respective increases in professional activities and services. The CMSA is anticipated to gain more than 1.5 million jobs from 2005 to 2035, with strong growth occurring in Harris, Montgomery, and Fort Bend counties. Table 3.29 Employment Forecast (Thousands) County CMSA 2,542 2,811 3,051 3,276 3,507 3,772 4,069 Brazoria Chambers Fort Bend Galveston Harris 2,060 2,260 2,434 2,593 2,754 2,939 3,145 Liberty Montgomery Waller Source: H-GAC Regional Growth Forecast 2035 Land Use/Development/Housing The H-GAC region consists of a diverse assortment of land uses and determinations, including (but not limited to) heavy industry, commercial retail, residential and open space. The central portion of the region is occupied by Harris County, the hub of the heavily urbanized Houston metropolis. Harris County is not included in this plan. The majority of outlying counties, comprising most of the region are largely rural with a series of urban and industrial areas. Galveston Bay, the largest water body in the region, is bounded on the west by some of the nation's largest petrochemical complexes, shipping facilities and container port terminals, and the nation's fourth largest metropolis. The eastern portion of the Galveston Bay area (and eastern portion of our region) is largely rural, agricultural, and sparsely populated. Forecasting conducted by H-GAC indicates that our region will undergo phenomenal population and employment growth over the next 25 years. Outside of the Houston metropolis, the majority of population and employment growth will likely take place in the northern central, western, and southern areas of our region. This growth will increase pressure on the natural resources of our region (i.e., open space, water quality, air quality, etc.) and increase exposure to potential hazards like flooding, hurricanes and other items addressed in this Plan. Additional information pertaining to population and employment forecasting, and land cover for the Houston-Galveston region can be found at the following locations: Political Subdivisions There are 11 congressional districts that fall in full or in part within the 13-county Houston-Galveston region. Figure 3.31 shows the delineation of these districts throughout the H-GAC area. 3-31

32 Figure 3.31 Congressional Districts Presidential and SBA Declared Disasters There have been 111 presidential or Small Business Administration (SBA) declared disasters in the Houston-Galveston region since A more in-depth assessment of hazards, including their impact on the H-GAC region, can be found in Section

33 Table 3.30 Declared Disasters Summary DEM Incident Type Number of Declarations Fire 3 Flood 54 Freeze 8 Hurricane 14 Rain/Salinity 3 Severe Storm/Tornado 7 Tornado 4 Tropical Storm 18 Total 111 County Table 3.31 Presidential and SBA-Declared Disasters List (As of March 2011) Year Disaster Number DEM Incident Type Presidential Declaration SBA Declaration Austin DR Hurricane Yes Yes Austin DR Extreme Wildfire Threat Yes No Austin DR Hurricane Yes Yes Austin DR Flood Yes Yes Austin DR Flood Yes Yes Austin DR Flood Yes Yes Austin Flood No Yes Brazoria DR Hurricane Yes Yes Brazoria DR Extreme Wildfire Threat Yes No Brazoria DR Hurricane Yes Yes Brazoria 2003 DR 1479 Hurricane Yes Yes Brazoria DR Tropical Storm Yes Yes Brazoria DR Severe Storms, Tornadoes Yes Yes Brazoria DR Tropical Storm Yes Yes Brazoria DR Tropical Storm Yes Yes Brazoria DR Flood Yes Yes Brazoria DR Flood Yes Yes Brazoria Rain/Salinity No Yes Brazoria DR Flood Yes Yes Brazoria DR Flood Yes Yes 3-33

34 County Year Disaster Number DEM Incident Type Presidential Declaration SBA Declaration Brazoria Freeze No Yes Brazoria DR Hurricane Yes Yes Brazoria DR Hurricane Yes Yes Chambers DR Hurricane Yes Yes Chambers DR Extreme Wildfire Threat Yes No Chambers DR Hurricane Yes Yes Chambers DR Tropical Storm Yes Yes Chambers Flood No Yes Chambers DR Flood Yes Yes Chambers Rain/Salinity No Yes Chambers Freeze No Yes Chambers DR Hurricane Yes Yes Colorado DR Extreme Wildfire Threat Yes No Colorado DR Hurricane Yes Yes Colorado DR Flood Yes Yes Colorado DR Flood Yes Yes Fort Bend DR Hurricane Yes Yes Fort Bend DR Extreme Wildfire Threat Yes No Fort Bend DR Hurricane Yes Yes Fort Bend DR Severe Storms, Tornadoes Fort Bend DR Tropical Storm Yes Yes Fort Bend DR Flood Yes Yes Fort Bend DR Flood Yes Yes Fort Bend DR Flood Yes Yes Fort Bend Freeze No Yes Fort Bend DR Hurricane Yes Yes Galveston DR Hurricane Yes Yes Galveston DR Extreme Wildfire Threat Yes No Galveston DR Hurricane Yes Yes Galveston 2003 DR 1479 Hurricane Yes Yes Galveston DR Tropical Storm Yes Yes Galveston DR Tropical Storm Yes Yes Galveston DR Tropical Storm Yes Yes Galveston DR Flood Yes Yes Yes Yes 3-34

35 County Year Disaster Number DEM Incident Type Presidential Declaration SBA Declaration Galveston DR Flood Yes Yes Galveston Rain/Salinity No Yes Galveston Freeze No Yes Galveston DR Hurricane Yes Yes Harris DR Hurricane Yes Yes Harris DR Tropical Storm Yes Yes Harris DR Extreme Wildfire Threat Yes No Harris DR Hurricane Yes Yes Harris DR Severe Storms, Tornadoes Harris DR Tropical Storm Yes Yes Harris Flood No Yes Harris DR Tropical Storm Yes Yes Harris DR Flood Yes Yes Harris Tornado No Yes Harris DR Flood Yes Yes Harris DR Flood Yes Yes Harris DR Tornado Yes Yes Harris DR Flood Yes Yes Harris DR Hurricane Yes Yes Harris Tornado No Yes Harris Tornado No Yes Harris DR Flood Yes Yes Harris Flood No Yes Harris Freeze No Yes Harris DR Hurricane Yes Yes Liberty DR Hurricane Yes Yes Liberty DR Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding Liberty DR Extreme Wildfire Threat Yes No Liberty DR Hurricane Yes Yes Liberty DR Severe Storms, Tornadoes Liberty DR Tropical Storm Yes Yes Liberty Flood No Yes Liberty DR Flood Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3-35

36 County Year Disaster Number DEM Incident Type Presidential Declaration SBA Declaration Liberty DR Flood Yes Yes Liberty DR Flood Yes Yes Liberty DR Flood Yes Yes Liberty DR Flood Yes Yes Liberty DR Flood Yes Yes Liberty DR Hurricane Yes Yes Liberty Flood No Yes Liberty Freeze No Yes Liberty DR Hurricane Yes Yes Matagorda 2008 DR 1791 Hurricane Yes Yes Matagorda 2006 DR 1624 Extreme Wildfire Threat Yes No Matagorda DR Hurricane Yes Yes Matagorda 2003 DR 1479 Hurricane Yes Yes Matagorda DR Tropical Storm Yes Yes Matagorda DR Tropical Storm Yes Yes Matagorda DR Flood Yes Yes Matagorda DR Flood Yes Yes Matagorda DR Flood Yes Yes Matagorda DR Hurricane Yes Yes Montgomery DR Hurricane Yes Yes Montgomery DR Extreme Wildfire Threat Yes No Montgomery DR Hurricane Yes Yes Montgomery DR Severe Storms, Tornadoes Yes Yes Montgomery DR Tropical Storm Yes Yes Montgomery Flood No Yes Montgomery DR Flood Yes Yes Montgomery FSA Fire Yes No Montgomery FSA Fire Yes No Montgomery DR Flood Yes Yes Montgomery DR Flood Yes Yes Montgomery Flood No Yes Montgomery Flood No Yes Montgomery Freeze No Yes Montgomery DR Hurricane Yes Yes Walker 2008 DR 1791 Hurricane Yes Yes 3-36

37 County Year Disaster Number DEM Incident Type Presidential Declaration SBA Declaration Walker 2007 DR 1709 Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding Yes Yes Walker 2006 DR 1624 Extreme Wildfire Threat Yes No Walker DR Hurricane Yes Yes Walker DR Severe Storms, Tornadoes Walker DR Tropical Storm Yes Yes Walker DR Flood Yes Yes Walker DR Flood Yes Yes Walker DR Flood Yes Yes Walker DR Flood Yes Yes Walker DR Flood Yes Yes Walker Freeze No Yes Waller DR Hurricane Yes Yes Waller DR Extreme Wildfire Threat Yes No Waller DR Hurricane Yes Yes Waller DR Tropical Storm Yes Yes Waller DR Flood Yes Yes Waller DR Flood Yes Yes Waller DR Flood Yes Yes Waller Flood No Yes Wharton DR Hurricane Yes Yes Wharton DR Extreme Wildfire Threat Yes No Wharton DR Hurricane Yes Yes Wharton DR Tropical Storm Yes Yes Wharton DR Flood Yes Yes Wharton DR Flood Yes Yes Wharton DR Flood Yes Yes Wharton DR Flood Yes Yes Source: Texas Division of Emergency Management Yes Yes Communities Designated for Special Consideration In accordance with 44 CFR Section 201.2, this Plan must identify communities designated for special consideration because of minority or economically disadvantaged populations. FEMA defines such communities as those that have populations less than 3,000; must not be located within the boundaries of 3-37

38 larger cities; and must be economically disadvantaged, with residents having an average per capita annual income not exceeding 80 percent of the national per capita income. According to the ACS 5-year estimates (American Community Survey ), the per capita income of the United States was $27,041, 80 percent of which is $21,633. The communities must also have a local unemployment rate that exceeds by one percentage point or more the national unemployment rate of 7.2 (ACS ). Table 3.32 lists the jurisdictions whose population is less than 3,000 and whose per capita income is less than $21,633. Table 3.32 Communities Potentially Eligible for Special Consideration Place Population Unemployment Rate Per Capita Income Ames (City) 1, % $14,423 Barrett (CDP) 2, % $16,428 Blessing (CDP) % $14,026 Cumings (CDP) % $7,862 Daisetta (City) % $14,046 Dayton Lakes (City) % $11,551 Devers (City) % $18,042 Liverpool (City) % $20,791 North Cleveland (City) % $12,388 Oyster Creek (City) 1, % $18,074 Patton Village (City) 1, % $13,520 Porter Heights (CDP) 1, % $17,135 Sheldon (CDP) 2, % $14,150 Splendora (City) 1, % $17,715 Van Vleck (CDP) 1, % $19,496 Wallis (City) 1, % $19,